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A variety of maps, writings, and photos on a various topics that can’t easily be categorized into a county or place.

Good morning from the Bennington Library 📚️

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Seems like the internet here is good enough for working. I’ll probably work here until around lunch time, then head back home, get unpacked and then head out to the folks house, working into the evening. Things have slowed a bit but I’m sure like usual it will be a busy day, but what doesn’t get done today, will get done early tomorrow.

It’s been fun up in Vermont, though I wish a bit more colorful. 🍁It’s only the first week of autumn though, and even in the mountains, the elevation isn’t that high. I think the past few weeks have been fairly mild, and I shouldn’t be rushing the color change too quickly, as you know how it happens — you get a few days of beauty, then a heavy rain, and then things are so gray and brown, especially as November is one of the grayest months of the year.

It was nice spending four days in Vermont, 🏕 even if it was a very much a working vacation. The Bennignton Library has good wifi, even if the wifi is down at the Visitor’s Center, much to my disappointment when I went there last night to do some work, and ended using my hotspot mode on my phone. Was hoping to save some bandwidth, though truth be told with the data work I do, it’s actually less data then you would think, as the files are fairly compressed, especially the outputs. 💻 I was kind of annoyed as no wi-fi at the vistor’s center came after I discovered there isn’t a ramp to the visitor’s center when you are coming from the

i was glad to have hiked Bald Mountain yesterday, ⛰ it had been on my list for some time. That said, the views from uptop I found to be only so-so and clouds pushed in mid-day, fading some what and clearing out. Cool morning but then it warmed out, but by the time I was back to camping it had cooled down. I went for a bike ride on some of the ski trails 🚵 and sat down by Beaver Pond until it was dark out. I was sitting up on this rock ledge, and saw a giant coyote 🐺 out in the field looking up at me. It’s that time of year. 🔥 Got dark early, and a headed back to camp.

I sure like the architecture of rural Vermont, especially some of the newer off-grid homesteads. 🏘 There ain’t nothing wrong with old the buildings, but I do like more the cabin look, simplier and totally off-grid with a lot of wood. Maybe I should look more into old houses, I was reading a book on it, and there is a lot of charm in old buildings, but most are very much grid-tied, with super comfortable heating sets ups and I don’t like that one bit. Woodheat is really is the way to go, and I would want as simple of an electrical and plumbing system as possible.

An autumn evening in Vermont 🍁

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As sunset’s warmth descends to gold,
Upon Vermont’s hills, stories untold,
A beaver pond, serene and still,
Mirrors autumn’s hues, against the hill.

The maples, ablaze with fiery might,
Reflect their splendor in the quiet night,
The pond’s soft ripples, gentle play,
Disturb not the peace that ends the day.

The forest whispers secrets low,
Of leaves that rustle, soft and slow,
The beavers’ lodge, a tranquil nest,
A haven from life’s turbulent unrest.

The evening sky, a canvas wide,
Displays its art, with colors inside,
Soft pinks and oranges, purples deep,
A breathtaking view, the soul to keep.

In this still moment, free from care,
Serenity envelops, beyond compare,
The world’s din fades, as nature’s peace,
Descends upon the heart’s release.

The stars appear, like diamonds bright,
A twinkling show, on this autumn night,
The pond’s soft lapping, lulls the mind,
In Vermont’s woods, serenity is found.

Why I find it hard to find a home in the Albany-area

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I have shelter at home – a drafty decrepit apartment. Until the landlord removed the mail box for construction, I had a place where I even got my mail. But it’s an interim place, even if interim has lasted longer than I ever expected it would be.

But when I spend my weekends in the wilderness – be it Rennselaerville State Forest, the Green Mountains or the Adirondacks – it’s hard to go back to Albany and find anything for any price that looks like a home to me. Vinyl siding and drywall provide shelter but in my mind not a home.

I want that cabin in the woods in a freer state with low taxes, good gun laws and few restrictions on open burning where pot is legal to smoke and grow yourself. A rural place with hills and forests but also agriculture. Small towns, where the pollution and crime and consumeristic culture are far away.

Today I’m out hiking on Bald Mountain in Bennington Vermont ⛰️

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Been planning to do this for some time but it never seems to happen. I’m not camping that far from Bennington and figured if I had some extra time this evening, I could explore the village. Plus I need to stop by the Visitor’s Center for the free wifi so I can do a bit of work before heading back to camp.

Kind of a quiet start to the autumn, 🍁 with yesterday I spent most of the day reading 📖, listening to podcasts and doing some hikes around the ski 🎿 trails at Prospect Mountain.